CONFIDENTIAL
are certain difficulties in course iii, which are explained in paragraph 10
above, and it is a further consideration that legislation to abolish capital
punishment in the Dependencies would take time to enact. But if course v is
adopted, constitutional principles would require that the Foreign and Commonwealth
Secretary should act, and be seen to act, in accordance with the principles described in paragraph 22 above (in the sane way as the Home Secretary does in relation to capital cases in Jersey and the Isle of Man), that is to say, there
should be no general announcement of predetermined policy but each case should
be considered on its nerits, having regard to all the relevant circunstances both
in the United Kingdom and the territory concerned.
? Alterey Generalir ofties werd uit arned see
para. 22). po
12 September 1977
11
CONFIDENTIAL